The US military has decided to freeze the evacuation of its refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport, according to journalist Dean Fisher (N12). The decision comes less than 10 minutes after The Zioneer reported that the evacuation had been canceled.
The US military has decided to freeze the evacuation of its refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport, according to journalist Dean Fisher (N12). The decision, reported at 10:33 local time, comes less than 10 minutes after The Zioneer reported at 10:25 that the evacuation had been canceled, indicating a rapid shift in the US position amid the ongoing escalation with Iran.
The earlier report of a cancellation had suggested a complete reversal of the US military's plan to relocate aircraft from Ben Gurion, which was first reported in mid-June as a move to ease congestion ahead of a diplomatic agreement with Iran. The freeze now appears to halt the evacuation process entirely, though the reasons for the change remain unclear.
The freeze takes place against the backdrop of heightened US-Iran tensions, which have included military posturing and diplomatic maneuvering. The US military has maintained a significant aerial refueling presence at Ben Gurion, and any movement of those assets is closely watched as an indicator of strategic intent.
2 developments
- DevelopingUS expected to relocate 20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion; reports do not confirm 32-aircraft withdrawal
- StrongUS military to relocate ~20% of refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion Airport ahead of Iran deal
- StrongUS pledges to remove ~20 refueling aircraft from Ben Gurion by Tuesday, Regev says
- DevelopingOver a third of US aircraft have departed Ben Gurion Airport
Source and signal
- Internal intake